Hungarian police have launched proceedings concerning a far-right march that took place in the city of Székesfehérvár, west of Budapest, on Saturday.

Two separate criminal proceedings have been initiated against unknown perpetrators for publicly denying the crimes of National Socialist or Communist regimes and for display of a symbol of totalitarianism, the local county police directorate told the state news agency MTI. The far-right event was held with the participation of several members of the extremist New Hungarian Guard, the Sixty-Four Counties Movement and “Betyársereg”, according to reports. Organisers also invited former Waffen SS member Klaus Grotjahn to the march, who however cancelled his participation at the event due to his frail health.

According to reports, participants celebrated Ferenc Szálasi, leader of the fascist Arrow Cross party who led Hungary in the final days of the Second World War for a brief period in 1944-45, and a far-right anthem was also played.

Several left-wing and liberal opposition groups said that they were taking legal action in connection with the Saturday event, which was permitted by police despite mayor András Cser Palkovics, who represents Hungary’s ruling centre-right Fidesz party, protesting against its organisation.